In "Flight of the Kuaka", Don Stap uses rhetorical strategy in a variety of different ways. He use definition to describe the different types of birds and what they look like, as well as to describe the different technology used to track them. He use narration to describe the experience of different researchers and workers, such as Bob Gill, who got to enjoy warmer weather and a break away from Alaska. He used comparison to talk of the different species of birds. He writes about how both the godwits and the curlews are part of a group called the Numeniini, but how they are different in many ways, and even those two species break up into smaller classifications, such as the black- tailed godwit verses the Hudsonian godwit, the bristle- thighed curlew and the long- billed curlew.
These strategies really helped me grasp the concept and meaning of Stap's essay. I am by no means knowledgable of birds in any way, nor am I familiar with the friendly tracking devices used on them. I don't know the proportion of the weight of the device against the bird's weight, nor do I know where the most desirable grazing patches for the migrating birds. Yet, I had no problem reading this essay, because when he used the various rhetoric strategies, he ended up clarifying all of the procedures and methods for me, so I felt like I had been learning and researching it along with them. It made me enjoy reading about it, and I didn't feel like it was above me due to my lack of knowledge.
Count the frequency of "different" in this short post.
ReplyDeleteIs this term most expressive of Stap's presentation?
I agree with Professor Lay as she points out your repetitive use of the word "different." Especially with blogs, it's easy to forget how often you're using the same word.
ReplyDeleteAs for your content, you bring up a lot of interesting points. Like you, I'm no avid bird fan but this piece was easy to read. Stap's way of describing something as if it's common knowledge is both powerful and accessible for readers.